U.S. patent application number 11/554875 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for anchor structure for electronic devices.
Invention is credited to Kun-Yen Lu, Rai-Lin Wang.
Application Number | 20080121772 11/554875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39462650 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080121772 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lu; Kun-Yen ; et
al. |
May 29, 2008 |
ANCHOR STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Abstract
An anchor structure for electronic devices includes a plurality
of bars that are pivotally coupled through a hinged means. At least
one of the bars has a housing space formed in a portion of the
interior to allow the bars to be swivelable relative to one
another. The anchor structure further has a fastening means which
has a handle with a bottom end located in the housing space and
hinged on a corresponding bar. The hinged portion on the bottom end
of the handle runs through the bar and is fastened to a cam. The
housing space also holds a slidable brake element corresponding to
the cam and a spring to keep the brake element in contact tightly
with the cam so that turning of the cam can selectively move the
brake element to a position to escape the axle or to another
position to form a tight contact with an axle.
Inventors: |
Lu; Kun-Yen; (Taipei,
TW) ; Wang; Rai-Lin; (Taipei, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIKOLAI & MERSEREAU, P.A.
900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 820
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
39462650 |
Appl. No.: |
11/554875 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/279.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 248/921 20130101;
F16M 11/10 20130101; Y10S 248/917 20130101; Y10S 248/919 20130101;
F16M 2200/022 20130101; F16M 2200/08 20130101; Y10S 248/92
20130101; Y10S 248/923 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/279.1 |
International
Class: |
E04G 3/00 20060101
E04G003/00 |
Claims
1. An anchor structure for electronic devices, comprising: a first
bar which has a housing space formed in a portion of the interior
thereof; a second bar; a hinge means which includes an axle
pivotally coupled on one end of the first bar, the second bar being
fastened to the peripheral surface of the axle so that the second
bar is swivelable relative to the first bar through the axle; and a
fastening means having a handle which has a hinge portion on a
bottom end corresponding to the housing space to be hinged on the
first bar and fastened to a cam located in the housing space, the
cam having a protrusive portion on one side to form a selected
surface profile, the housing space holding a slidable brake element
corresponding to the axle such that turning of the cam selectively
moves the brake element to a position to escape the axle or another
position to form a tight contact with the axle.
2. The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the housing space holds
a spring corresponding to where the first bar being pivotally
coupled with the axle to force the brake element to form a tight
contact with the cam.
3. The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the axle peripheral
surface is formed with a teeth surface.
4. The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the brake element has
one end surface made from rubber to be in contact with the
axle.
5. The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the hinge means has a
damping wheel which has a portion of elements fastened to the first
bar and other portion of the elements fastened to the axle to
provide a damping resistance.
6. The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the second bar has a
holding dock on other end to hold an electronic device.
7. The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the first bar has other
end fastened to a base to mount the anchor structure onto the
surface of an object.
8. An anchor structure for electronic devices, comprising: a first
bar which has a housing space formed in a portion of the interior
thereof; a second bar; a third bar; a first hinge means which
includes a first axle pivotally coupled on one end of the first
bar, the second bar being fastened to the peripheral surface of the
first axle so that the second bar is swivelable relative to the
first bar through the first axle; a second hinge means which
includes a second axle pivotally coupled on other end of the first
bar, the third bar being fastened to the peripheral surface of the
second axle so that the third bar is swivelable relative to the
first bar through the second axle; and a fastening means having a
handle which has a hinge portion on a bottom end to run through the
first bar and fasten to a cam in the housing space, the cam having
a first protrusive portion and a second protrusive portion on two
opposite sides to form respectively a selected surface profile, the
housing space holding a first brake element and a second element
that are slidable and corresponding respectively to the first axle
and the second axle such that turning of the cam selectively moves
the first brake element and the second brake element to positions
to escape the first axle and the second axle or to other positions
to form a tight contact with the first axle and the second
axle.
9. The anchor structure of claim 8, wherein the housing space holds
a first spring and a second spring corresponding respectively to
the first brake element and the second brake element to force the
brake element and the second brake element to form respectively a
tight contact with the first protrusive portion and the second
protrusive portion of the cam.
10. The anchor structure of claim 8, wherein the first axle
peripheral surface and the second axle peripheral surface are
formed respectively with a teeth surface.
11. The anchor structure of claim 8, wherein the brake elements
have one end surface made from rubber to be in contact with the
first axle and the second axle.
12. The anchor structure of claim 8, wherein the first hinge means
has a first damping wheel and a second damping wheel on where the
first bar being coupled with the first axle and the second axle,
the first damping wheel having a portion of elements fastened to
the first bar and other portion of the elements fastened to the
first axle, and the second damping wheel having a portion of
elements fastened to the first bar and other portion of the
elements fastened to the second axle to provide a damping
resistance.
13. The anchor structure of claim 8, wherein the second bar has a
holding dock on other end to hold an electronic device.
14. The anchor structure of claim 8, wherein the anchor structure
is mounted onto the surface of an object through the third bar.
15. The anchor structure of claim 8, wherein the third bar has
other end fastened to a base to mount the anchor structure onto the
surface of an object.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an anchor structure for
electronic devices and particularly to an anchor structure that has
a hinge means and a fastening means to adjust holding positions of
an electronic device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Conventional portable electronic devices such as handsets
(mobile phones), PDAs, GPS (global positioning system) and the like
can provide powerful communication functions, thus are widely
accepted on the market. These portable electronic devices are often
being installed on transportation vehicles to enable users to use
during driving or riding.
[0005] In general, the conventional anchor structures, which are
used to hold portable electronic devices, include a transformative
bar structure or a plurality of hinged bars. Through a turning and
fastening mechanism, the coupling tightness of the hinged axles can
be altered, and the bars can be swiveled relative to one another
about the axles or fastened, thereby to adjust the holding position
to provide an optimal operating position for users. However, the
stability and rigidity of the transformative bar structure are
often not desirable. Swaying frequently occurs during driving.
Moreover, the turning and fastening mechanism for the bars is
easily loosened. It also is not convenient to use during driving
and could result in hazardous conditions. There is still room for
improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the aforesaid problems occurred to the
conventional anchor structures for electronic devices, the primary
object of the present invention is to provide an anchor structure
to hold portable electronic devices.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor
structure for electronic devices that has a hinge means and a
fastening means. There are bars coupled through hinge axles that
can be swiveled relative to one another or fastened to adjust the
positions of the bars.
[0008] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an anchor
structure for electronic devices that has a hinge means and a
fastening means. The fastening means can simultaneously control
swiveling or fastening condition of hinge axles.
[0009] To achieve the foregoing objects the anchor structure for
electronic devices of the invention includes a plurality of bars
that are pivotally coupled through a hinge means. At least one of
the bars has a housing space to allow the bars to be swiveled
relative to one another. The invention further has a fastening
means which has a handle with a bottom corresponding to the housing
space and hinged on a corresponding bar. The handle has a hinge
portion on the bottom end running through the bar and being
fastened to a cam in the housing space. The housing space further
holds a slidable brake element corresponding to the cam and a
spring to harness the brake element to form a tight contact with
the cam. Thus the cam can be turned to selectively make the brake
element to slide to a position to escape an axle or another
position to form a tight contact with the axle.
[0010] The bar that has the housing space has two ends to be
pivotally coupled with other bars through the hinge means. The
housing space communicates the hinge means on two ends thereof. The
housing space also holds one set of brake element and spring
corresponding to each hinge means. The cam has two ends pushing a
corresponding brake element to control coupling tightness of each
hinge means. Hence the positions of bars relative to one another
can be adjusted as desired. Moreover, one of the bars has a holding
dock to hold an electronic device. Another bar has a base to allow
the anchor structure to be mounted onto the surface of a desired
object.
[0011] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and
advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the
following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional and side view of an embodiment
of the anchor structure for electronic devices of the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention according to
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged sectional view according to the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged sectional view according to
FIG. 3; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of the
anchor structure for electronic devices of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 for an embodiment of the anchor
structure for electronic devices of the invention. It mainly
includes a first bar 1 and a second bar 2 that are pivotally
coupled together through a hinge means 3. Through a fastening means
4 the hinge means 3 can be selectively set to a swivelable
condition or a non-swivelable condition, and the first bar 1 and
the second bar 2 also can be set to a corresponding swivelable
condition or a non-swivelable condition.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the first bar 1 and the second bar 2
are respectively a rod. The first bar 1 has a housing space 11
formed in a portion of the interior. The hinge means 3 includes an
axle 31 hinged on one end of the first bar 1. The second bar 2 is
fastened to the peripheral surface of the axle 31 so that the
second bar 2 can be swiveled relative to the first bar 1 through
the axle 31. The fastening means 4 includes a handle 41 which has a
hinge portion 41a on a bottom end corresponding to the housing
space 11 and pivotally coupled with the first bar 1. The hinge
portion 41a runs through the first bar 1 and fastens to a cam 42 in
the housing space 11. The cam 42 has a protrusive portion 42a on
one side formed in a selected surface profile. The housing space 11
has one end leading to where the first bar 1 being coupled with the
axle 31. The housing space 11 also holds a slidable brake element
43 and fastens to a spring 44 in a fixed manner on the one end. The
spring 44 aims to keep the brake element 43 in contact with the cam
42 tightly so that turning of the cam 42 can selectively make the
braking element 43 to slide away from the axle 31 or in a tight
contact condition with the axle 31 to make the axle 31 in a
swivelable condition or non-swivelable condition.
[0019] The axle 31 has a teeth structure on the peripheral surface
to form a teeth surface 32. The brake element 4 has an end surface
made from rubber corresponding to the axle 31 for pressing thereon.
Hence the friction force between the brake element 43 and the teeth
surface 32 can be increased.
[0020] The pivotal coupling portion of the first bar 1 and the axle
31 also has a damping wheel 33 which has a portion of elements
fastened to the first bar 1, while other portion of the elements is
fastened to the axle 31 so that when the first bar 1 swivels
relative to the axle 31 the damping wheel 33 provides a damping
resistance. Hence when the brake element 43 loosens the compression
on the axle 31, the damping wheel 33 provides resistance against
swiveling of the first bar 1 about axle 31 so that the second bar 2
can be firmly anchored on a selected position, and reduce the
relative swiveling between the first bar 1 and the second bar 2
caused by gravity force.
[0021] The first bar 1 may have a base 5 on other end to mount the
anchor structure onto the surface of a selected object. The second
bar 2 may have a holding dock 6 on other end to hold the electronic
device so that the whole anchor structure can be mounted onto the
surface of the selected object.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the handle 41 is moved to a
first condition, the cam 42 rams the brake element 43 outwards in
contact tightly with the teeth surface 32 of the axle 31 so that
the axle 31 is in an anchored condition, and the first bar 1 and
the second bar 2 are in the non-swivelable condition relative to
each other. When the handle 41 is moved to a second condition, the
cam 42 is released from the brake element 43, the brake element 43
is pushed inwards by the spring 44 to escape the teeth surface 32
of the axle 31, hence the first bar 1 and the second bar 2 are in
the swivelable condition. But swiveling of the first bar 1 and
second bar 2 is resisted by the damping wheel 33 and is proceeded
in a slower fashion.
[0023] Refer to FIG. 5 for another embodiment of the invention. The
base 5 has a top end fastened to a third bar 7. The first bar 1 is
pivotally coupled with the top end of the third bar 7 through a
second hinge means 3'. The second hinge means 3' has a second axle
31' pivotally coupled on one end of the first bar 1. The third bar
7 is fastened to the periphery surface of the second axle 31' so
that the third bar 7 can be swiveled relative to the first bar 1
through the second axle 31'. The handle 41 has a hinge portion 41a
on the bottom end running through the first bar 1 and fastened to
the cam 42 in the housing space 11. The cam 42 has a first
protrusive portion 42a and a second protrusive portion 42b on two
opposite sides formed respectively in a selected surface profile.
The housing space 11 has one end leading to where the first bar 1
being coupled with the axle 31, and another end leading to where
the first bar 1 being coupled with the second axle 31'. The housing
space 11 further has a first brake element 43 and a second brake
element 43' slidable on two ends, and a first spring 44 and a
second spring 44' anchoring on the two ends. The first and second
springs 44 and 44' make respectively the brake elements 43 and 43'
in contact tightly with protrusive portions 42a and 42b of the cam
42 so that rotation of the cam 42 can selectively make the brake
elements 43 and 43' to escape the axles 31 and 31', or slide to ram
the axles 31 and 31' tightly to allow the axles 31 and 31' in a
swivelable or non-swivelable condition.
[0024] When the handle 41 is moved to the first condition, the
protrusive portions 42a and 42b of the cam 42 ram the brake
elements 43 and 43' outwards in contact tightly with the teeth
surface 32 of the axle 31 so that the axle 31 is in an anchored
condition, and the first bar 1 and the second bar 2 are in a
non-swivelable condition relative to each other. Meanwhile the
second brake element 43' is in contact tightly with the second
teeth surface 32' to anchor the second axle 31'. The first bar 1
and the third bar 7 can also be selectively set to a non-swivelable
condition. When the handle 41 is moved to the second condition, the
protrusive portions 42a and 42a of the cam 42 are released from the
brake elements 43 and 43', and the brake elements 43 and 43' are
pushed inwards respectively by the springs 44 and 44' inwards so
that the first brake element 43 escapes the teeth surfaces 32 of
the axle 31, and the first bar 1 and the second bar 2 can be
selectively set in a swivelable condition relative to each other.
Meanwhile the second brake element 43' is moved away from the
second teeth surface 32' of the second axle 31', and the first bar
1 and the third bar 7 can be selectively set in a swivelable
condition relative to each other.
[0025] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the
disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments
thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *